Posted on 06/30/2006 11:08:19 PM PDT by soccer_maniac
The quarterfinal round concludes with a pair of enticing match-ups. The day's first match pits England against Portugal (10:30 a.m. ET, ABC) in Gelsenkirchen, while a rematch of the 1998 final between Brazil and France (3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN) will wrap the Round of 8.
(Excerpt) Read more at fifaworldcup.yahoo.com ...
I didn't think they were favored in this tournament. They came out double-barrel today, though. They have really shaken the Brazillians.
I wish I wasn't right. :-(
Hopefully, the girls turned them down and they will be beaten up by drunken Frogs outside after the game.
Agreed. Though Brazil isn't looking very desperate, like I'd expect...
"Is France any good? I watched their group games and they did badly. I watched a few minutes of this game and they're doing really well. :( Oh, well. All the bettter for Germany if France wins."
It's not only about being "good", the majority of the teams in the world cup are very "good" (well, except for the obvious Saudi Arabia, Tunisia etc.). It's also about psychology, about how well you can adapt to your opponent's style.
Look at Italy: They are in the semifinals, but didn't manage more than a draw against the US.
What distinguishes the great teams from the merely good (i.e. the rest of the teams in the world cup), is they way they e.g. handle the pressure of being one goal behind or a man down. Some teams grow under pressure, others fall apart.
Now we'll see if Brazil is merely very good this World Cup or if they are indeed great.
It takes a few games for a team to gel in the World Cup, usually Italy and France are less than impressive in the Group stage, but all they care about is getting out alive. After three games, those teams are peaking.
Zidane definately has an extra spring in his step in the knockout stage.
Gosh what's worse than ingratiating ignorance?
They don't play desperate. It is just a matter of rythm and give and go.
"Zidane is giving a master class in midfield play."
"I'm in awe of Zidane's play, so I'm going to shut up."
Guess Ronaldinho forgot his special gold boots.
I'll be shocked if France doesn't get a second.
France are going to kick Brazil's World Cup arse for the third time running.
Brazil looking very ordinary.
He gave them to Ribery.
This is the way the game is supposed to be played. What skill levels on both sides. This is the beautiful game.
Zidane is a futbol god!
I have never seen a team shutdown Brazil like this.
I did see Brazil shutdown worse than this.
It was in Paris 98.
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